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In this issue...
Begin The New Year With AGC Houston's Annual Business Meeting! Patrick J. Kiley Excellence In Leadership Scholarship Applications Now Open Submit Your Safety Program In The National Safety Awards Competition AGC of America Takes SBA To Court What's Next In Texas With COVID-19 Vaccinations? AGC Interprets Year-End Federal Legislation Cornerstone Digital Version Now Available
Education/Training
Do you know a student pursuing a career in construction? AGC Houston is pleased to announce that applications for the Patrick J. Kiley Excellence In Leadership Scholarship are now being accepted through March 1, 2021. No fees required! For qualifications criteria and other information, click here. Lean Construction Program: Units 1-7 (Virtual Option)
Begins January 27, 2021 through March 3, 2021
This class is taught online using Zoom Meetings and is a joint venture between AGC Houston, AGC of Metro DC and AGC Florida East Coast Chapters.
How lean is implemented within a construction firm can vary based on many factors and the lean transformation is most effectively driven and planned by individuals within a firm. Following completion of this program, individuals will have a deep knowledge of both the theory and application of Lean Construction and will be able to sit for an exam to earn AGC's Certificate of Management - Lean Construction (CM-Lean) credential.
Check out all of the details.
Safety
AGC Houston is proud to partner with the The Region VI OSHA Education Center at The University of Texas at Arlington. The OSHA Education Center at The University of Texas at Arlington is the top-ranked OSHA Training Institute Education Center in the country. Additional classes scheduled for January. View the full list of OSHA courses here. JANUARY 11-14: OSHA 511: Standards for General Industry 18-21: OSHA 500: Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for Construction Industry 25-28: OSHA 501: Trainer In OSHA Standards General Industry
FEBRUARY 1-3: OSHA 502: Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers 3-5: OSHA 503: Update for General Industry Outreach Trainers 8-11: ATP 191: Safety and Health Authorized Trainer 9-11: OSHA 3115: Fall Protection Recognizing AGC Contractor Members for Safety Excellence since 1991, the National AGC Safety Awards (NASA) program is an ongoing effort that allows AGC members to evaluate their safety record.
Safety awards are given to members who have an incident rate 25 percent below each division's average and members who have a zero incident rate in the following divisions: Building, Highway, Heavy/Industrial, Municipal/Utilities and Associate/Specialty.
AGC News
AGC of America has broken down the now-enacted 2020 year-end federal legislative package and how it impacts our construction industry. Click here to review their analysis.
AGCA is hosting a webinar titled "The Construction Regulatory Road Ahead." During this webinar, regulation experts from AGC of America will discuss the answers to pressing questions that will impact your business.
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
COST: Free for TEXO/AGC Members; $99 for Non-Members Register
In a further response to AGC pressure to restrict the use and ultimately require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to revise its Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) “Loan Necessity Questionnaire” – including the lawsuit that AGC filed against SBA on December 8, 2020, – the agency has just announced that it is providing an additional 60 days for public comment on the questionnaire and “will submit any resulting amendments to the information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval.”
On December 21, 2020, AGC of America’s Chief Executive Officer, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in reaction to the release of compromise coronavirus relief legislation slated for House and Senate votes as early as today:
“The new coronavirus recovery measure announced today should provide some needed relief for a construction industry that is coping with project cancellations and job losses in most parts of the country. Most notably, the measure includes $10 billion in needed funding to help address the pandemic-induced shortfalls in state transportation revenues. This new funding should keep a number of road projects from getting canceled or delayed over the coming months."
Events
JANUARY Our annual State of the Chapter meeting features guest speakers Bob Lanham and Steve Sandherr and the presentation of the 2021 Standard of Excellence Award Join us virtually for this special event featuring: Jerry Nevlud, CEO AGC Houston Special guests: 2020-2021 AGC of America Chairman Bob Lanham, Jr., President, Williams Brothers Construction Registration and sponsorship information here. Wondering what’s in store for the economy in 2021? Join Patrick J. Kiley for his expert predictions as SMPS Houston and AGC host our Annual Economic Forecast event!
We're Planning A Starry Night! Join us as we will be celebrating Excellence In Construction From The Group Up and honoring John Kirksey, Kirksey Architecture, 2020 Master Builder Award recipient. Click here for all the details. Member News
Tellepsen announced over the holidays that it once again partnered with "so many great companies in the subcontractor community, as well as our Tellepsen employees," in building bikes for children in the greater Houston area.
The company distributed almost 600 bikes this Christmas and through the partnership of Texas Children's Hospital with Safe Kids Greater Houston, donated more than 400 helmets.
Some of the top AGC member contributors include Marek Brothers Systems, Inc.; KenMor Electric Co. LP.; W.T. Byler Co, Inc.; and Diversified Thermal & Moisture Protection, LLC.
Tellepsen's Susan Phillips, John Brock, and Victoria Mayes were recognized for taking the lead with this event, which includes loading, transporting, and delivering the bicycles.
As tradition, the bikes are blessed before they move on to their forever homes.
Click the link to hear a dedication prayer by Trent Tellepsen.
JE Dunn Construction Company Houston team members showcased their sewing skills to make blankets for Project Linus. The key mission of the organization is to provide hand-made blankets to comfort children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need.
Find out more about the organization here.
It is with great sadness that AGC Houston learned of the unexpected passing of architect Ray Leichner on December 29, 2020, from a pulmonary embolism. Mr. Leicher was a longtime member of the Chapter's AGC/AIA Committee and was deeply respected by the commercial construction industry leaders.
Ray's entire career was spent in architecture, first with Caudill, Rowlett, and Scott, then as a principal with Bailey Architects and finally as a principal with Shepley Bulfinch. A visitation was held on Monday, January 4, 2021, at Earthman Funeral Directors.
AGC Houston extends its deepest sympathies to the Leicher family and those in the E/A/C community who collaborated with Ray and lost an old friend.
Read the full obituary here.
News you can Use
Construction spending was a tale of two industries again in November, as soaring single-family construction masked ongoing downturns in private and public nonresidential construction, according to an analysis of new federal construction spending data by AGC of America. The new figures underscore the need for new infrastructure investments and other measures to boost demand for nonresidential construction amid the pandemic.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reminds employers that the agency will begin collecting calendar year 2020 Form 300A data on Jan. 2, 2021. Employers must submit the form electronically by March 2, 2021.
Electronic submissions are required by establishments with 250 or more employees currently required to keep OSHA injury and illness records, and establishments with 20-249 employees classified in specific industries with historically high rates of occupational injuries and illnesses.
Visit the Injury Tracking Application Electronic Submission of Injury and Illness Records to OSHA for more information and a link to the Injury Tracking Application.
Zach Mortice predicts construction technology trends for 2021 will include pocket-size lidar scanners, wireless charging for construction equipment, virtual reality inspections, aerial construction drones, and technology to assist with contract tracing for COVID-19. "As the pandemic marches on, pressure is increasing to create ways for people to experience and understand spaces virtually in order to keep safe distances," he writes.
Membership Benefits
Check out the Fall edition of Cornerstone magazine now online. The digital version offers quick access at your fingertips.
Read about our Safety Award recipients, the Midyear meeting and AGC Champions Golf Tournament highlights, Tony Mansoorian's final column as Chairman, and more!
Verizon Connect Reveal Track commercial vehicles and monitor your drivers for improved performance and safety. NPP members receive an exclusive discount on Reveal as well as 24/7 roadside assistance and fuel card tracking. Enroll with NPP to access this deal on fleet tracking.
Verizon Wireless Receive up to 22 percent OFF monthly access fees* and up to 35 percent OFF smartphones, tablets and accessories. Enroll with NPP to start saving with the nation’s largest, most reliable 4G LTE network.
Resources
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, AGC Houston has been committed to providing our members with valuable resources and updates on a dedicated COVID-19 web page.
Get your AGC "Keeping Safety Viral" hardhat stickers! Free for AGC Houston members. Contact the Chapter today. Who’s getting the vaccine now?
If you are a front-line healthcare worker or resident of a long-term care facility, you are eligible now to receive the vaccine, since December 14. This group is considered Phase 1A. Phase 1B recipients include:
People 65 years of age and older; People 16 years of age and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19.
Find out more about the state's COVID-19 vaccine information including a vaccination providers map here.
The EEOC has released COVID-19 vaccination-related guidance, including critical information about legal concerns employers should know if they choose to mandate vaccinations for employees. The guidance can be found in the EEOC’s existing resource on COVID: What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration website features coronavirus-related guidance for construction employers and workers. The guidance includes recommended actions to reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus.
See the information
Here's Looking at You
Congratulations to AGC Houston's Amy Mui, Director of Finance, who recently celebrated 20 years of service for the Chapter. AGC of America recognized this milestone with a special plaque in appreciation for her years of service to the Association and to its membership.
Amy joins President/CEO Jerry Nevlud, Ada Lam, CFO, (her sister), and Tamara Hancock, COO, who also have dedicated 20 years of service for AGC.
Congratulations to all for your service and dedication to AGC Houston!
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